Kansas City Black History

Since 2010, the partnership between the Kansas City Public Library, the Black Archives of Mid-America and LINC has been gathering the stories of Kansas City’s great men and women who forever shaped our city and our nation.

The history materials have been distributed for free by the thousands into schools, libraries, homes and community centers, now featuring more than 80 profiles.

An enhanced website at kcblackhistory.org compiles the biographies along with essays, lesson plans and videos, linking them to the Kansas City Public Library’s Black history materials and programs, including its collection of oral histories.

In 2021, the project compiled the profiles into a book that was expanded in 2022 with a 48-page second edition featuring 84 biographies along with new essays from Mayor Quinton Lucas, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and many other contemporary voices. A downloadable version of the book is available online at KCBlackHistory.org, or by clicking here.

The 2024 edition of profiles is now available with six biographies in an 8-page booklet and poster set. Copies of the booklet are available at branches of the Kansas City Public Library and at the Black Archives of Mid-America, or can be downloaded or ordered below.

Larger requests for the booklet and printed copies of the 2024 poster set are available for pickup at the LINC offices, 3100 Broadway Blvd., Suite 1100, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, email communications@kclinc.org.


KC Black History Project 2024: Profiles of dedication and excellence

The Kansas City Black History Project has returned with an eight-page booklet and poster set featuring profiles of six area men and women who enriched, entertained, strengthened and even saved lives.

Read more


Download Prior Years of Kansas City Black History

A limited number of posters are available, but all posters and booklets, and the 2022 Kansas City Black History book can be downloaded below.

Kansas City Black History Book

2022 Second Edition Book

Individual Posters and Booklets, All Years

Posters 8.5x11”

Booklets 11x17”

2024 Set

2024 Posters

2024 Booklet

2020 Set

2020 Posters

2020 Booklet

2019 Set

2019 Posters

2019 Booklet

2018 Set

2018 Posters

2018 Booklet

2017 Set

2017 Posters

2017 Booklet

2016 Set

2016 Posters

2016 Booklet

2015 Set

2015 Posters

2015 Booklet

2014 Set

2014 Posters

2014 Booklet

2013 Set

2013 Booklet

2013 Posters

2012 Set

2012 Booklet

2012 Posters

2011 Set

2011 Booklet

2011 Posters

2010 Kansas City Leaders

Booklet - Kansas City

Posters - Kansas City

2010 National Leaders

Booklet - National

Posters - National

 

 

 

 

 

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Lesson Plan

Download a lesson plan to use with students.

More lesson plans at kcblackhistory.org

Learn Their Stories

Visit kclinc.org/blackhistorystories to learn more about the individuals featured in this and prior years Black History Project.

2022 Second Edition Kansas City Black History Book